A New Model?

It hasn't been too many years since each of my church's deacons was given a portfolio of responsibility. (By the way, that's a huge load off the pastor's shoulders.) The first deacon who had the Outreach Portfolio did a fine job with it. Those who benefited include Graham's Christmas Shoebox, the Salvation Army's food bank, Angel Tree and many, many more. BUT...
- Other than donating items, no one is actually involved in the ministry itself.
- All the drives have been filling needs, which is good. But it just doesn't feel like outreach.

I believe the ultimate goal of outreach is to expose people to the Gospel, so they can make a decision for Christ. And that really needs, at the very least, a follow-up face-to-face contact. I can't think of a single person who came to our church in response to some "outreach" effort of ours. So, we did make some changes over the past year. Before I share what they were, what outreach efforts of yours is working?

Okay. We still do the needs outreaches described above, but a solitary deacon doesn't do all of them. Volunteers are recruited, and so just like that, there's been a 400% increase in the number of people actively involved. Also, a proposed neighborhood block "party" is getting looked at by a small committee.

I'm sick and tired of the effects that COVID had on America and the Church. It's past time to regain lost territory. (Hmmm. Do I still have a copy of The Prayer of Jabez?)